Epilogue

A few days following the wedding, Sheriff Bagwell paid them a visit. “We found good homes for all those children at Ruby Creek’s. I thought you’d want to know.”

Marley stood by watching as Roan shook the sheriff’s hand. “I did worry about that. Ruby loved them in her own way, I suppose, but I’m glad they’re going to get the right kind of attention where they can grow up into strong, compassionate men.”

Roan reached for her hand and squeezed. She returned the light pressure. He, above all, knew the kind of hardships that came from not having anyone to care. That he turned out all right seemed a miracle, but maybe it was a testament of his strength and deep convictions. She prayed those boys turned out like him.

* * *

Two months later, Marley noticed a rider coming through the ranch gate. She snapped a clothespin onto the tail of one of Roan’s shirts and stepped around her laundry.

“I’m looking for Marley McClain,” the young man said, dismounting.

“You’ve found her, only my name is Marley Penny now. Can I help you?”

“I surely hope so. I have a telegram for you.”

She took the piece of paper, wondering who it could be from. “Can I get you a glass of water?” She motioned toward their small house where she and Roan lived until their new one was finished.

“No, ma’am. I’ve gotta get back to town.”

She waited until he rode off before she tore open the telegram. Excited tingles swept over her to see it was from the Harper Brothers Publishing Company. Her hands trembled.

YOUR PIRATE STORY WAS EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR STOP YOU’RE BOTH A STORYTELLER AND DREAMER STOP EXCELLENT FOR CHILDREN STOP CONTRACT AND CHECK COMING STOP

Marley’s head whirled. She couldn’t believe it. Her dream had come true. Tears filled her eyes. She’d waited so long for this day, for someone to tell her she had a worthwhile talent.

Roan strolled through the door. As always, her breath caught at the sight of him. She flew into his arms. “They’re publishing my stories! I have a job.”

Roan grinned and gave her a light kiss. “I knew it would happen. I told you they were good.”

“Yes, but you don’t count.” She snuggled against his broad chest. “You think everything I do is amazing.”

“Only because it is, darlin’.”

That night they had supper in the main house. With everyone gathered around, she shared her big news, reading the telegram aloud. Everyone clapped and cheered—except Roan. He lounged in his chair, watching her, a wide smile showing his white teeth. Pride glistened in his eyes, and she was immensely grateful that the stars had aligned to put him in her world.

They were living on Promise Island.

* * *

They moved into the new house on the fifth of April in the year nineteen hundred. Other telegrams had come, along with checks, and as the publisher had promised, Marley had more work than she could do, and the days simply didn’t have enough hours in them. She slid a cake into the oven, bursting with exciting news for Roan and couldn’t wait for him to get home.

Matt glanced up from a book he’d brought home from school. “Mama, what is a world’s fair? Is it bigger than a county fair?”

“Oh, goodness yes. It covers hundreds of acres. It’s a place where all countries can come and display their new inventions, and children can ride on tall Ferris wheels and all kinds of other things. Why do you ask?”

“My teacher says that it’s going to be in Paris, France, in a few days. Can we go there?”

Marley ruffled his hair and pulled out a chair. “Honey, it’s far across the ocean. It’s impossible for us.”

“Aw shoot! I want to go.”

“Maybe next year. It’ll be in Buffalo, New York, then. I could stop and see my publisher on the way.” She loved that idea and knew Roan would jump at the chance. But her news might change all that.

A few hours later, after Roan helped her with the supper dishes, she took his hand and they walked down to the corral.

Roan lifted a tendril of her hair. “You have this private little smile. Want to tell me what it’s about?”

“I have some news to share. I think it’ll make you happy. At least I hope so. But then, it’s going to bring lots of changes.”

“Just living each day with you and Matt makes me a happy man. I don’t need more.”

She stepped closer and whispered in his ear, “Not even another child?”

Surprise rippled across his face, and a slow grin formed. “We’re going to have a baby?”

“Yes. Sometime around the end of November.” She cupped his jaw and met his hopeful stare. “Are you happy?”

With tears in his beautiful gray eyes, he swept her into his arms. “More than I’ve ever been in my entire life.” He paused. “What do you think Matt will say? The kid’s really sensitive. I never want him to think we’re trying to replace him.”

“We’ll make sure he gets plenty of love and reassure him often. I think he’ll swell with importance at the notion that he can be a big brother.”

“So, this was what the cake was for.” He wagged his eyebrows. “You were buttering us up for the announcement.”

Marley laughed. “You’re too smart, Roan Penny.”

* * *

Marley’s first book arrived just after her first daughter came. They named her Alice after Roan’s mother and took Marie from Jessie’s middle name. On a winter day, Marley and Roan bundled up the baby and Matt and went to pay a Granny Jack a Christmas visit.

Her old friend cooed over the babe, while Matt dropped to the floor to play with the cats. “Little Alice Marie is a real beauty. I think she has your eyes, Marley.”

“It does appear that way.” Marley nodded to Roan.

He pulled a wrapped gift from a bag filled with fruit and goodies. “Granny, Marley and I want you to have this.”

“Me?” Granny stared up at them with her owl eyes. “My lands, I can’t imagine.” She slowly pulled the paper away, and tears spilled down her cheeks. She ran her fingers across the title: The Adventures of Mooney Jack.

“Open it,” Marley urged, cradling baby Alice.

Granny’s fingers trembled as she opened the first page to Marley’s drawing of Granny with her Mooney. “There we are. I wondered why you wanted to see that old picture.”

“I had my reasons.” Marley’s throat burned with tears. She’d loved writing the story and drawing the pictures and knew the special meaning the book would hold for Granny.

The woman turned more pages and stopped on the drawing that filled an entire page—the one of Mooney Jack standing in the middle of the road, his legs braced apart, and holding a tall, flaming torch. More tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh, Marley Rose. This is worth more than all the gold on earth. When I die, I want this book buried with me.”

“I’ll see to it,” Marley promised, reaching for Roan’s hand.

“Never stop writing your stories and drawing your pictures,” Granny said, wiping her eyes.

Marley glanced up at Roan and smiled. “I won’t.”

And she didn’t.